Be Mine: Chocolate & Valentines
| Venue: | Old Sturbridge Village |
| Hours: | 9:30-4:00 p.m. |
| Ages: | Kids, Teens, Adults |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor, Outdoor |
| Cost: | $ see below |
| Category: | Arts & Culture |
Learn about the history of chocolate - from bean to beverage. OSV historians will demonstrate processing chocolate by hand using cacao beans in the original manner of ancient Mexico, where chocolate originates.
They will use a 'metate' to grind freshly roasted chocolate 'nibs' to make a hot, spiced chocolate drink. Learn the secret behind the 1824 recipe for 'chocolate cake.'
Children can make their own valentines and visitors of all ages can 'meet' the local woman responsible for the popularity of sending valentines in the United States. Portraits of her parents hang year round in the Fitch House.
Worcester resident Esther Howland was the daughter of a stationery maker and received an English valentine from one of her father's associates in 1847. Inspired to design her own, Esther originally hand-made valentines with friends in her family's home with paper lace and floral decorations imported from England.
The business flourished as the popularity of these ornate and sentimental cards grew. Eventually she sold the business to the Whitney Valentine Company. Worcester was the center of the commercial valentine industry until World War II.
| COST | ↑ top |
Regular Daytime Admission Rates(subject to change without notice)Adults: $24.00Seniors (65 and over): $22.00Youths (3-17): $8.00Children under age 3: FreeMembers: Free
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
Route 20, Sturbridge, MA map
Phone: 800-SEE-1830
Old Sturbridge Village outdoor history museum is located on [Route 20] in Sturbridge, Massachusetts and is easily accessible by car from [I-84] and the Massachusetts Turnpike [I-90].
GPS
Find Old Sturbridge Village as a point of interest or use the physical address:
40 Stallion Hill Road, Sturbridge, MA 01566
By Bus or Train
Amtrak, Peter Pan and Greyhound are serving the city of Worcester. Red Cab Taxi is available from the train or bus station to transport you to Sturbridge, MA.
By Air
Old Sturbridge Village is easily accessible from Logan International Airport in Boston, TF Green in Rhode Island, Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, Worcester Regional Airport or Southbridge Municipal Airport. Rental cars and limousine services are available from these airports.
Parking
FREE parking is available at our museum.
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
Info changes frequently. We cannot warrant it. Verify with Be Mine: Chocolate & Valentines before making the trek. If you find an error, please report it...